Google has pushed out a huge and long overdue update for the Hangouts Android app. This version completely revamps the UI, adds calling features, and integrates Google Voice. It's basically everything we've been waiting for Google to do with it's messaging products.

Google has pushed out a huge and long overdue update for the Hangouts Android app. This version completely revamps the UI, adds calling features, and integrates Google Voice. It's basically everything we've been waiting for Google to do with it's messaging products.

It has been a long time since Google did anything with Google Voice, it's alternative phone number service. With the new version of Hangouts, all your Google Voice SMS and voicemail will be routed through that app. Messages will arrive with the line via GV so you know when someone sent a text to your Voice number. Your replies will also automatically go through Google Voice as well. Because Voice is now integrated with Hangouts, you'll also get those text messages in the desktop Hangouts extensions.

The new Hangouts app still has a green aesthetic, but now the contact list and conversations are tabs, rather than the slightly awkward sliding panels we had before. It's a look much more in line with Google's Material Design aesthetic in Android L. There's also a third panel, but only if you install the new Hangouts Dialer app (and you should). This lets Android users make voice calls using their Google Voice number via Hangouts. This is a data-only call, so it won't use minutes. That means you can use your Google Voice number to place calls anywhere in the world as long as you've got a data connection.

The new Hangouts app is rolling out slowly in the Play Store. Keep in mind that the Google Voice features will only work in the US.

About the Author

Ryan Whitwam is a freelance tech/science writer and fan of all things electronic. This long-time skeptic and former research scientist is a lover of the em dash and a defender of the Oxford comma. He also writes for Geek.com and ExtremeTech.
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